sorry about that. Buffy was so weak she couldn't stand most of the day and so she was laying in front of my computer while I was typing. She started flailing, and crying out as if she wanted something but I couldn't understand what. She then started panting, and so I rushed her into the bathroom and wet her down a little and put her on the cold floor. I could only think that she was unable to process the oxegyn she was taking in because of her low blood count (see more in post). I called the shelter, and they ok'd her going to the eclinic for a night in oxygen, which did her a WORLD of good. She's standing up, being loving, talking, eating, and almost back to her old self (two differences, she's more needy of attention and she's not eating as much as she used to, but maybe she had a big breakfast, so who knows.)
so where was I??
ah yes, the ride to work. So Buffy was weak and not walking and barely standing. She was laying in the carrier dealing with the ride into work (I was going to bring her in and watch her for a few hours and decide from there what I was going to do) Well she started meowing, and trying to get out of the cage, she then stopped and was very quiet. I freaked. I pulled over to the side of the road, and she was responding, so not knowing what happened I drove to work. At work I realized she had gone pee.
I cuddled her on my lap, and she was content to sit there, until she again started to try to get off my lap, and meowing. I put her on the blanket she peed on, and she became quiet. She pooped. She was so exhausted, so weak and so flat out, that I decided she had to go back to the shelter. Since someone vomited the night before, I couldn't help but wonder if she wasn't hypoglycemic. I was going to take her home since I have a glucometer somewhere, but I knew the shelter had one at one point, so I figured I'd save time and just bring her there. Well they didn't have it any more, and the staff really couldn't help me, so they sent me to the local vet who fortunately could see her right away.
They did a bg and she was fine - if not a bit on the high side - so they ran a CBC and her PVC was 13%. Normal being ~ 30% So we have an answer - sort of, she is anemic. But why? Her stool sample showed round worms and coccidia.. might these be the cause or might it be something else? The shelter agreed to pay to have her blood work sent out to see if something else is brewing. I brought her home and watched her. She was calm most of the night until ... well the crisis moment.
I was able to get half a can of food into her knowing how important nutrition is.. She got plenty of subq fluids, and three different medications - albon for the coccidia, (she got the strongid the night before for the rounds) Doxy for any possible infection causing a problem and Pet-Tinic to get some iron in her to help her make more red blood cells. She took her meds like a real trooper. But she would not sleep. her eyes were always wide open, almost as if she were having trouble seeing. She kept pulling my hand close to her and wanted me near her. If I held her paw, she curled her claws around my finger. Just about broke my heart. When the thought dawned on me that she wasn't getting enough oxygen, I called, and got the ok, and off to the eclinic we went.
I wasn't horribly impressed, we were the only ones there and still we had to wait in the lobby. the tech that took her vitals was nice enough, but a smidge on the rude side. The best way to describe it (and I'm not saying this is exactly the case, but it was how it felt) was she was full of her power. She was in charge, and I best not forget that. *sigh* but then again it might just be because I was stressed and exhausted (being as it was now 10pm)
the dr finally came in, he was very nice. Did another exam on her, listened to me, and was able to calm me down. There was talk of a blood transfusion - which would be major money ($500-700) and for an unowned kitten with an unknown issue, it seemed rash to go down that road. But I was just rash enough to ask about it (hence the quote on the price) and he told me that at her condition she could have one, but at this point it wasn't critical - also what I didn't mention that she calmed right down on the ride there. was no longer panting, was able to sit up, and wasn't as wobbly. He still thought the oxygen was a good idea, and so we left her which totally broke my heart, but it made my body uber happy because it was very tired and really wanted some sleep.
Woke up this morning and called in because they hadn't called me. No info, they'll call right back. The woman who answered the phone was a tad snotty saying something to the effect that she might not be going home. A) she had to because we weren't authorized to do much more then the oxygen and B) you really shouldn't say things like that. Made me worry even more, thinking I'd be going to pick up a half dead kitten.
So no one called me back. I waited, I watched tv, I got dressed, I brushed my teeth, and I said frig this, I'm just going to get her. But I called first, and again they wanted me to wait while they did... I have no idea. I explained she was not able to spend any more time there, and I was coming and they could talk to me when I got there. I almost cried the whole way up thinking she was as bad off as she was the night before.
well when I got there, the woman checked me out. Eclinics are all about the payment. I get it, but they aren't very subtle about it. (which in thinking about it I get that too, but I'm going to pay darn it, you don't need to be pushy.. [cause they know me from Adam right?]) then some one went to get her. Brought her out in the carrier I brought, and she was sitting upright and looking very perky. She said that she was doing very well, was telling the staff all her stories and making biscuits up the wazoo. They lost the towel I brought in with her, but c'est la vie.
She was quiet on the way out to the car. Quite on the ride home, but once she got home, oh man. She started dancing, prancing, talking, rubbing, even had a few bites of food on her own. took her meds like a champ, and is currently napping in front of my laptop having a little kitty dream. I know that sleep is vital for her, but seeing her laid out like that is a bit hard to take. When she is awake, she is quite needy of reassurance of some kind or another. Patting her is not good enough, I must be looking at her. She even climbed up on my shoulder and tried to get into my ear..
(must not wake her.. must not wake her)
I want to go into the other room and get the camera that has the photo from yesterday of her in my carrier.. but you'll have to settle for these few webcam shots off my laptop.
I'm glad that so far she is doing well. Seems the last few fosters I've had that got sick got sick so fast they died. I couldn't help but think she was going this route, and when I had called for her to go to the eclinic, I was asked if euthanasia was what I was thinking. I needed a save. Yes, I know I'm saving all the healthy ones too, but it just doesn't feel the same. Fostering often feels selfish to me. I bring home adorable kittens and I play with them until they are big enough, and I turn them in for new little ones. This.. this was saving a life.
Lets just hope it stays saved!
(this post while sad does provide information of what can happen while fostering and possible reasons and outcomes for people who might be facing this situation. while we all want to believe no kittens die, they all go on to live happy healthy adorable lives (which I'm sure is why a lot of people allow their pets to breed) I'm here to tell you, show you, living proof that is not the case. While this case does seem to have a happy ending, she is not yet out of the woods, and so many others have failed to make it. It isn't that I'm not a good foster parent that sometimes kittens die. It is that I am willing to take on the cases that others are not. It takes a lot to say "I'll tend to that kitten that might die" and I fault no one for not doing it. Every single foster family is important. For every home that takes the easy fosters, it is another opening to help the needy. Please, do not let this or any other tale of woe turn you off fostering. There are so many that need you!)
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